Q: Many American runners will do repeat 200s and 400s and call it a speed workout. How does this fit in with the Lydiard way?

A: Repetitions or interval training can improve your speed to a certain degree simply because of anaerobic development and improved mechanics. This gives the false idea that you are actually improving speed. The actual fact is; repetitions or intervals are used for anaerobic development. You are creating huge oxygen debt to develop a buffer against this type of fatigue. Problem is that when you do that, you invariably tighten up. You can not develop fine speed when you tighten up. The best way to develop speed is to use some of the American sprint drills. (In other words) you should be fresh and relaxed when developing speed, not fatigued from oxygen debt. But bear in mind, there's a time for repetitions to develop anaerobic development and there's a time for sprint drills to develop fine speed. You have to organize all types of training, including repetitions and sprint drills, at the right time so you can peak on the day. That is the Lydiard Way of training.

The overall impression I got from the interview is that Lydiard's system is brilliant for long distance runners and hit or miss with mid-distance, with the success of the latter group basically depending on the individual. In simplest terms, his system is pretty much what I advocate for sprinters and mid-distance runners -- building up a quantity based on quality. I think he got lucky with some of his early mid-distance runners being the rare, special athletes that can succeed at the highest levels within such a system. Many would have lacked the necessary speed/pace work and broken down from the volumne, but it worked for his small squad.